Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski today announced the nomination of John P. Mikowychok to become the city’s next Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Mikowychok comes to Allentown with an impressive background managing park and recreation facilities in the Commonwealth. For the past 11 years, he was the Director of Chester County (PA) Department of Parks and Recreation. In that role he directed the operations, capital projects and recreation programs for a 4,700 acre park and trail system in southeastern Pennsylvania, supervising more than 100 staff members. Prior to that Mikowychok was Executive Director for the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation for 16 years directing the operations of a more than 2,000 acre park and trail system and again supervising more than 100 full and part-time staff members.

“John comes to us with a wealth of experience,” said Pawlowski. “Under his direction we will continue the great strides we have made since 2006 in improving our parks and recreation facilities and developing programming for our citizens of all ages.”

“I am very excited to come to Allentown,” Mikowychok said. “The city has one of the classic park systems in this state, with traditional, neighborhood parks and several well-known and well-loved greenways along Cedar, Jordan and Little Lehigh creeks. Allentown is held in high esteem among those in the parks and recreation community. I look forward to furthering its reputation and continuing to improve its delivery of services to residents.”

Mikowychok holds a B.S. in Recreation and Parks from Penn State University and is a graduate of the Oglebay Park, West Virginia School for Managers of Aquatic Facilities. He is a Certified Park and Recreational Professional by the National Recreation and Park Association and is a member of the Pennsylvania Park and Recreation Society.

Mikowychok’s nomination must be confirmed by City Council.
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